Peach Pit Monday and a Sweet Southern Storm

This morning before leaving to return back to reality, Emilie and I drove for what seemed like forever out in the country to go to the Peach Pit. During peach season apparently they have this great place that is open to enjoy, well when we got there it was of course closed. However the gas station next to it also had a smaller version of it during the off season. They made amazing desserts. It was actually our breakfast. I had fresh cooked and hot blackberry cobbler with coconut ice cream and Emilie had a peach pie and peach ice cream. They were so sweet my stomach ached a bit afterwards, but I enjoyed every bite of it.


When I got on the plane the pilot actually walked back to us to tell us that when they flew from Charlotte the last few minutes was horrible because they were expecting tornados and that we just needed to be prepared for a bumpy ride. I was all ready for it, but it was smooth sailing until the very end of landing, which wasn't too bad. The pilot was pretty impressive. Since we were on a puddle jumper we didn't pull up to ramp, but had to walk down the stairs. Mr. Pilot was so nice and was at the bottom of the ramp helping people down the stairs and wishing us a good day and thanking us for flying. I'm not a fan of US airlines and only fly them when I go to Emilies, but he kind of changed my opinion, not enough to change my choice of airlines though. It was super windy out there while we waited for our luggage. A few hours later we had us quite the southern storm, rain, wind, and a tornado or two down the street. Oh, how I love southern spring storms. We do however have blooming trees and it is still February, the last day, but still only the second month of the year and spring has already upon us!

Super Sunday

I love Sunday's. They are so enjoyable. I really enjoyed church today. Even Sunday School where I had the same lesson as I did last week in my own ward, but it was interesting how they brought out different points. After church we tried to enjoy some time on the porch but the wind made it a little uncomfortable.
I loved how Emilie threw in frozen chicken breasts in the the crock pot and how they were almost done by the time we got home. She can whip anything up in minutes. She makes this amazing pickle dip. All it is is whipped cream cheese and dill pickles cut up in small pieces blended really well with a mixer until it thickens. It was our afternoon treat. I love it with celery but it is also good with potato chips. We had fun in the evening being a little crafty by making felt flowers. I can't cut all that great on fabric, need a lot of practice. But all and all they turned out well.
And here is handsome Carson all fresh and clean ready for another week of kindergarten. Can I order one of these? He is so adorable and says the funniest things!

Celebrating Mardi Gras

Yesterday morning we slept in just a little, or at least I did until I heard the tv blaring with cartoons. I hate cartoons, always have, always will. We went to a Mardi Gras parade. It was super fun. But can you believe that Emilie has never taken her children to a parade. Never. In fact on the way out of the house I had to tell Carson to get a sack for the goodies. He grabbed his cat in the hat hat. This was quite the parade. I loved the beads and of course the candy. And they threw moon pies. I've lived in the South for several years and just had my first moon pie. Not all that great. I'd rather spend my calories elsewhere. The sun was super hot and I got a touch of a sunburn but only on the side that was facing the sun.


I have never seen a black cowboy or a horse diaper...quite surprising when they all came riding along down the street.
Emilie and I purchased some pretty big sunglasses to cover our precious eyes, and we enjoyed ourselves some amazing gumbo that totally hit the spot. I love gumbo! I actually crave it. That afternoon I watched a little BYU basketball and we spent a rather boring evening at the school gym watching 6th, 7th & 8th graders prance around in immodest evening gowns to be judged on who was the prettiest. No talent, no speech, just evening gowns. Carson and I spent most of the time playing on the ipad. Hannah did come in first runner up, however I won't be posting a picture as I was all too disappointed that she chose a dress that showed her bare shoulders. It could have been her chance to be an example of modesty.


By the time we all got home we were tired and there was some crankiness by tired children. Ella got a pretty bad sunburn in the enjoyable 80 degrees. Hopefully she will wear sunscreen in the future.

Much needed mini vacation...

I would have to say that January and February feel like one combined very long month, especially since I began working in the ER. I believe it seems this way because of the dreaded flu season. This year, flu season has seemed much longer than others. I need to remind myself next year to take an extended vacation in February. So to reward myself this year for making it through the dreaded months, I have taken myself a mini vacation to visit my cousins in Montgomery, Alabama.
I left after an 11-9 shift Thursday evening and arrived before midnight, and that was after waiting on the tarmac and then having to go back to the gate because the overhead speaker wasn't working. Immediately after stepping off of the plane I felt a tinge of much appreciated humidity. Oh how I have missed it this very dry winter. That night we had a crazy storm of wind and rain. I love a good southern storm, but not one that wakes me from sleeping and keeps me up for at least 2 hours. Yesterday Emilie worked and the kids went to school, so I enjoyed a relaxing morning reading and swinging on the porch. When the kids got home it was all of a sudden a very busy house. I sure love these kids. Macie had fun playing on the ipad, as did everyone else. That afternoon Macie gave me a pedicure with pink polish and white polka dots. She did pretty good given the fact that she has a broken collar bone and can't write with her dominate hand.

And Carson and I wrestled when he wasn't playing with their very well behaved cat. He's a tough kid, but I think I'm just a bit stronger for now any ways.
For our evening treat, Emilie made her amazing carmel corn and we watched a movie or at least I did.
It was a very relaxing evening to say the least.

Monday Afternoon...

This afternoon went like this...Cleaned upstairs, vacuumed upstairs, studied scriptures, cleaned upstairs bathrooms including steam mopping, changed winter decorations to spring for we all know we are ready for it! Stopped by my favorite supermarket Aldi's for half and half, but ended up buying pears, a multi-scissor pack, and light cheese sticks as well, then went to Cassie's house. Her husband is in Europe for business and I could tell when I got there that she was in need of some adult conversation and a break from her winy 3 year old. We had fully intended on going for a jog, but the wind was out of this world, which made it a bit nippy, like 60 degree's. I don't think it made it past 70. So I took dinner of Taco soup over and I made banana cream mini cupcakes as she cleaned her kitchen. I was amazed at how many dishes she was able to pack into her dishwasher. We had family home evening with her boys and then I made my way home. Since I didn't get my work out in, I had to do my lunges, sit ups, squats, etc. while the bachelor played in the background. Not the work out I would have had at the gym, but I've learned in life that if I miss a day at the gym it isn't the end of the world. But the more time I spend building relationships and serving others is really what is most important. This evening is ending with paying bills, another load of laundry, a little packing, a little chatting with a handsome hunk and poof it's about time to hit the sack.

Monday Madness

I usually have Monday's off. What do I usually do you ask? Well, some Monday's I really can't tell you. Most Monday's I spend re-cooperating from my 3 night shifts, which I am doing today. Usually at the end of a Monday I look back asking the same thing you are. Well, I guess I shall see what this Monday brings, since it is nearly two and I have only gotten a few things accomplished them being:
1. Cleaned the kitchen, including unloading the dishwasher the most despised job ever and steam mopped. I love my steamer!
2. Started dinner-Taco Soup
3. Vacuumed the down stairs, including the stairs
4. Did 2 loads of laundry, well actually I folded the one that was in the dryer since Wednesday and only really did 1 load fully.
5. Changed the bedding to a more spring look
6. Talked to my sister Tenielle for 22 minutes
7. Cleaned the downstairs bathroom
8. Looked at craft blogs, yep I'm a craft blog junky
9. Straightened my bedroom.
10. Checked email, facebook, and yes got a message from a guy on LDSSINGLES.com, I know you liked that last one!
And I did this all while listening to pandora. I found a great channel today that I'm quite enjoying. Love my pandora!
Things I need to do:
1. Clean the upstairs. When I say my house is a mess, this is really what I mean. This little section that gets very cluttered. So really it isn't my house just my little reading nook where I do everything, craft, pay bills, read, the papers on the floor fell off of my make-shift desk a few days ago and laziness never picked them up. I know mom you are a horrified by the mess.
2. Vacuum the upstairs
3. Clean upstairs bathrooms...how is it I still have to clean 3 bathrooms, when I really only use 1?
4. Study Scriptures
5. Go to the dollar store for needles
6. Gym from 530-730 for spinning and group power
7. Pay Bills
8. Change winter decorations to spring decorations
9. Make a few crafts
10. Pack for my mini vacation to Alabama, since I work the next 3 days and won't have time.
11. Enjoy the windy 74 degree's, hey it's better than a snowy 30 degree's.
It's two and I better get going. As my mother would say, "the days a waisting..."

LOVE

I love my ward. I love the people in my ward. I love my callings in both the RS presidency and as the organist. But what I love the most about Sundays and my ward are the children. I have been blessed to be surrounded with such special spirits, who are so close to our Heavenly Father. I marvel at the reverence that our young men have as they prepare and pass the sacrament. How they so gently pass it to each of us so that we can participate in the Atonement. I love to be able to get to church early to play prelude to help bring the spirit to those young men as they prepare for the most important part of my week. I love sitting with my ward family, specifically my bishops family. They never let me sit alone, which I 'm grateful for. Who wants to sit alone? I feel that I am part of a very special family when I go to church. Each are so different and there is so much diversity in our ward, but when we are there we are one. The love that I see each Sunday by those concerned for others is amazing. I have learned a very special thing over the past three years. I have learned love. I learned this lesson during my first calling in the family ward in the scouts. I learned then that I can love other mothers children. I often wonder why, why I didn't learn this lesson with my own children. I recall my mother telling me once that you will never love someone else's children as much as you love your own. I have never had children, but I must say that my mother is wrong. I love these kids. I would do anything for them. I love when I don't have to conduct or teach when I get to hold a special spirit so fresh from Heaven, while their mother does their calling in primary. As I held one of these choice spirits today I thought what a valiant child he must be as he was saved for today when the forces of evil are in such force. My eyes watered as I thought of what he will be and what he was sent here to do. I don't think I have ever seen this child sleep, but he fell asleep in my arms. His mom says that he doesn't do that. I call it the Terah Touch. The first time he laughed I was holding him, his mother couldn't believe it. We have a lot of boys in our ward, but we also have a few girls in our ward. These are some very sweet girls. I love them. There is one whose name is Katie. Her mother and I serve in the RS presidency together. I love each Sunday when Katie comes up to me and calls me Sister Young and gives me a hug. I am truly blessed to be able to be surrounded by such special spirits that have taught me the most important lesson of all, LOVE.(ps. Katie wasn't in this picture, not quite sure where she was, but I'll have to catch her next week.)

Missionary Work

I believe one of the reasons I have been sent to North Carolina was to do a little missionary work. I have had some amazing opportunities to share the gospel here. I don't know of anyone who has been baptized by talking about the gospel or giving a Book of Mormon away, but I imagine that someday probably in Heaven, I will have someone or someones approach me because I had shared my testimony with them. It seems the last several weeks I have had many opportunities that I have taken full advantage of to share the gospel. All of these experiences have been at work, except one was with my neighbor. There was a few Saturdays ago when I walked into work where there was over a 5 hour wait. My first patient was a 70 something year old man who had done some damage to his finger with a saw. Not the easiest thing to fix. In fact I always seem to whisper a quiet prayer to Heavenly Father for help when I am sewing up such things, as I did that night. In my conversation with this man somehow, someway, we got on the topic of family history and genealogy and the fact that I was a member of the church. I have been on a big genealogy kick. He was aware of the genealogy library and we talked about why genealogy was so important to our church. That same night I spoke with a co worker about how we will only know the Savior when he comes by learning of Him before He comes. And also that night I talked briefly to the doc I was working with about the fact that I went to church every Sunday no matter how tired I am.

The next week I had a lady pastor who broke her foot. She told me how she was worried that she wouldn't be able to preach that week. I said, well now you believe in prayer don't you. She said yes. I said, well then you believe in miracles then don't you. And again she said yes. She told me what she was going to be preaching about that week and I told her that I was teaching on Scripture Study. She asked me to share an idea with my congregation, which I did. It was to read the scriptures out loud. She said you will get more out of them if you do. I loved this idea.

That same night I had another finger to spend time on. The lady was from Somolia. She told me her story of how when she was 12 they escaped to freedom. She then asked me what my story was. I told her that I went to school in Utah. She told me she was going to SLC for the first time for a wedding in a few weeks. She knew nothing about the church so I got the opportunity to share a little about it and told her she couldn't go to SLC without going to Temple Square. I told her about how I would go there to study when I was in school and the peace that I always felt when I was there and the peace she would feel when she went there.

This past summer when my nephew Karston was born very early, I got the call right as I walked into work. It was totally unexpected. My nurse sensing that something was wrong asked me if we could pray. So right there in the middle of the ER she said the most beautiful prayer. It was one of the neatest experiences and one I will never forget.

In early November I was working with a nurse. Somehow we started talking about the BOM. I told her that I would bring her one the next day. I knew I didn't have one at home, because I had given it along with a copy of an Ensign on Christ to another co-worker. I called my neighbor who had to search for one, but who found one at her home. I came home that night, wrote my testimony in the front of it and highlighted some of my favorite scriptures. The next day I went to work with the BOM, however she only worked a few hours that day and I missed her and was unable to give it to her. I have had that BOM in my trunk since. Friday when I was working with her she asked me where her BOM was. I told her it was in my car. All day she kept asking me for it. I was so happy to be able to give it to someone who wanted to read it. So we shall see what will come of it. I am grateful that I live my life in a way that I can boldly declare my testimony and share the gospel with those who can see the light that I carry with me. Missionary opportunities are all around us if we just look for them.

Life...

Today I had a 4th year med student work with me. It was very fun. He was this really tall burly black dude. He was super funny. I asked him how he got to where he was. I loved his answer. He said, "Life is about figuring out what you are good at." He wasn't ashamed to admit that he was a smart black kid. I thought that was great. It was funny when I asked him if he was okay with doing a pelvic exam. His answer, "I can work a speculum." I was laughing. What man says that? One with confidence. So I was thinking what has life taught me. I would say today I learned to be grateful for unanswered prayers. I have my reasons behind this that I won't be sharing, but I have seen the hand of the Lord in my life so much lately which brings me happiness. How grateful I am for hard lessons that help me to grow. I must admit that it is best when I am able to look back on difficult times to see the growth I have experienced, even though when I am going through the challenge it isn't pleasant.

I have to admit that I see change coming. A few weeks ago I was talking to my co-worker and I was telling her that I felt that something good was about to happen and that I just need to have a little more patience. And today when I was talking to a friend I was telling her the same thing. It's not like I have prayed for anything specific like moving home or changing jobs, but that I just feel something coming. I think that is probably how Heavenly Father prepares us. She told me that she had that same experience when her and her husband felt it was time to move to Charlotte.

I really had a great day today. We weren't super busy and I had great nurses. I must admit, it did help that I got a surprise text which brightened my day and messed with my focus, but it was worth it! Enough said...

Day off=Dinner

It seems like the only day I really eat a good dinner is the day of the week or 2 that I have off. Not really something I think about all day, but when I get an idea and a hungry tummy especially after my very amazing spinning class it's time to cook. After class today I went to my local Aldi's. I came home with a box of parmesan flavored couscous mix, tilapia, and fresh strawberries. And I had a squash that I got from the mexican mart the other day. I put a little mr. dash and shredded parmesan on the tilapia, cut up the strawberries, and made the couscous and wa la, dinner was done in no time. Dessert will be low fat cookies and cream ice cream sandwiches. I love Aldi's low fat ice cream sandwiches. I have always only seen vanilla or chocolate, so this will be a nice change. I really have had a lazy day, which has been so nice. It is funny how doing three loads of laundry can be relaxing, how come it wasn't so when I was growing up?

Scripture Study

I was writing this email to the sisters in my ward and thought I would share it on my blog (PS. I taught in RS if you don't figure this out). But I have to tell you a neat thing about yesterday. Last night I dropped by my friends home. They have 4 young boys. They were just getting ready to have scripture study, with extended family too (4 other kids, because they blessed their baby yesterday). It was fun to join them. Each of us read a verse. It took a while, but we did it. Probably one of the most rewarding evenings I have had in a while. It reminded me of when all 7 of us had our blue BOM and we would have family scripture study, it was always quite the task, but my parents did it because that is what we did; bless their hearts.

Dear Sisters,
I was talking with a sister yesterday after church about those who missed RS because of callings in Primary or YW or because they were unable to be at church and how we can help you still feel a belonging to RS. It occurred to me that as a presidency we could send you our lesson material so that you can study what was presented the first Sunday of each month. Sending it to all sisters will also give you an opportunity to re-read and study what was presented and those things that I may not have been able to discuss in our class due to time.
I felt the spirit very strongly in all of our meetings yesterday, as I hope you did too. My topic assigned was "Increase our testimonies of Jesus Christ through Scripture Study and Prayer." As I have prayed over this the last few months and because this is such a broad topic, I came to the conclusion that I needed to focus my thoughts on Scripture Study. I really enjoyed this talk from L. Lionel Kendrick of the Seventy presented at General Conference April 1993. He expanded the talk in the following Ensign article.

http://classic.lds.org/ldsorg/lds_servlet/EmailArticleProcess?action=view&cmlId=813667&locale=0&emId=259966788

The primary theme this past month was "Feast on the words of Christ, for behold the words of Christ will tell you all things what you should do." 2 Nephi 32:3. I love this scripture and have a testimony of it. Because of lack of time, I was unable to share the following, "The most important gospel learning and teaching comes through the process of seeking and receiving personal revelation. This process begins by bonding scripture study with personal prayer. Why are these two activities so important and dependent upon each other? They open the channel of two-way communication with our Heavenly Father. When we want to speak to God, we pray. And when we want Him to speak to us, we search the scriptures, for His words are spoken through His prophets. When we are engaged in both, we invite the personal revelation that comes through the promptings of the Holy Spirit. To truly feast upon the words of Christ and be nourished in prayer, however, we cannot ignore the third element of personal revelation: pondering. It is by pondering that we make what is revealed to us part of our every thought and action...I testify that throughout time, the holy scriptures are the word of God given for the salvation of God's children. If you have not heard His voice speaking to you lately, return with new eyes and new ears to the scriptures. They are our spiritual lifeline. As with voices from the dust, the prophets of the Lord cry out to us on earth today: Take hold of the scriptures! Cling to them, walk by them, live by them, rejoice in them. Resist the urge to merely nibble at them. The prophets enjoin us to "feast" on them." Elder Robert D. Hales
The handout that I gave to go along with my lesson was from President Kimball who stated, "We want our sisters to be scholars of the scriptures. You need an acquaintanceship with his eternal truths for your own well being, and for the purposes of teaching your own children and all others who come within your influence. We want our homes to be blessed with sister scriptorians-whether you are single or married, young or old, widowed or living in a family. Become scholars of the scriptures-not to put others down, but to lift them up!"
This morning in my study, I listened and read David M. McConkies talk from the last GC. I loved the following quote: "The scriptures contain the words of Christ. They are the voice of the Lord. Studying the scriptures trains us to hear the Lord's voice." And he quotes President Monson, "We watch. We wait. We listen for that still, small voice. When it speaks, wise men and women obey. Promptings of the Spirit are not to be postponed."
And when I opened to my quote of the day it started with the scripture that I referred to in my lesson, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." Matthew 7:7 "The marvelous thing about prayer is that it is personal, it's individual, it's something that no one else gets into, in terms of your speaking with your Father in Heaven in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Be prayerful. Ask the Lord to forgive your sins. Ask the Lord for help. Ask the Lord to bless you. Ask the Lord to help you realize your righteous ambitions...Ask the Lord for all of the important things that mean so much to you in your lives. He stands ready to help. Don't forget it." President Hinckley.
I pray that you make the time in your busy schedules, to not merely nibble on the scriptures but to feast on them as you would thanksgiving dinner. Enjoy them, keep them close to you, read them at work, while you are waiting in the car pool lane, as your children play at the play ground, whatever you need to do to incorporate them in your daily schedule. I have a testimony that Heavenly Father will answer your prayers not only through ancient scriptures, but through our living day scriptures that we receive every 6 months. I love General Conference and have a testimony that as we incorporate the April and October editions of the Ensign into our daily scripture study our lives will be truly blessed as we follow the instructions from our living day prophet and church leaders.

What's for Dinner? How about Chicken Taquitos?

I made these for dinner today. They were so yummy. I however am not a fan of cilantro and didn't use it. I also used less chili powder because I didn't want them to be too spicy. I used one chicken breast, but I'm sure you can use 2. I also used corn tortillas. Yummy! I always have such a hard time thinking of something to make for dinner, as I'm sure most of you do. So here is a new recipe. It is easy and quick. Made it in less than 40 minutes minus cooking. Hope your family enjoys. PS. This recipe came off of ldsliving. I cooked it for only about 12 minutes. And I served it with black beans (or rather ate by myself.)

Baked Creamy Chicken Taquitos
Makes about 9 you I could have squeezed out 10 though. They said it made 16...
This is one of the most popular recipes with our readers. It’s rare for reduced-calorie alternatives for fried foods to taste as satisfying as the original, but these are an exception. The creamy filling is quick to throw together and can be made ahead of time.

1/3 cup (3 ounces) cream cheese
¼ cup green salsa
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
½ teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon granulated garlic
3 tablespoons chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons chopped green onions
2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
1 cup grated pepper jack cheese
6-inch corn or flour tortillas (as fresh as possible; the longer they sit, the more likely they are to crack)
Nonstick cooking spray
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (optional)
Kosher salt
Heat oven to 425° F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray it lightly with cooking spray.

Heat cream cheese in the microwave 20–30 seconds so it’s soft and easy to stir. Add green salsa, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, onion powder, and granulated garlic. Stir to combine and then add cilantro, green onions, chicken, and pepper jack cheese.
Wrap 3 to 4 tortillas at a time in damp paper towels and microwave 20–30 seconds so they are soft and pliable. If you find your tortillas are cracking when rolled, use damper paper towels and increase the microwave time.

Place 2 to 3 tablespoons of the chicken mixture on the lower third of each tortilla, keeping it about half inch from the edges, and then roll it up.

Place seam-side down on the baking sheet in a single layer. Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray or brush with vegetable oil. Sprinkle with a pinch of kosher salt on top. Place pan in the oven and bake 15–20 minutes or until crisp and the ends start to get golden brown. Cool 5–10 minutes and then serve with sour cream, guacamole, salsa, or pico de gallo.

Make Ahead: To make dinnertime assembly a breeze, prepare filling up to 2 days ahead of time and store in the fridge in an airtight container.

Freezer Instructions: Place unbaked taquitos in a single layer of a baking sheet and place in the freezer for 2 hours or until frozen enough to hold their shape. Pack in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. To bake, follow the same instructions, extending the baking time by 10 minutes.

Passport Picture Check!

So I did it. I finally am able to check off getting my passport picture. Today I went to Costco and did it. Now I need to fill out the paper work and go to the post office. One step closer to my European Vacation! I also did a few other things on my day off. Lets see, I went to my spinning class that I totally love. It is the best sweat ever! I came home and took a shower. Finally a few hours later I decided it was time to brush my teeth, put some makeup on and do something. Not like I didn't do something before hand, because I did. I did some preparing for my lesson for Sunday, made the bed, watched the news. I'm sure I did something else productive, but just can't remember. I also ran some errands and then stopped at my friends and had a chat. Went to Costco. I don't know how I spend so much time there, but I do. In fact I only bought a few needful items and spent $98.06. Not quite $100. I've looked at plane tickets today. They are rather pricey. I mean really. I can fly across the country to San Diego for half the price I can fly to Boise. The day is almost over again. I really should pick up the clutter that I'm staring at, but I think it can wait until tomorrow.